Kansai News » Kansai Technology

Smartphone Gazers

Kyle Yates — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:18:22 +0000

I remember when iPhones first started coming out a few years ago. All those who didn’t own an iPhone talked about how large the iPhones looked and questioned whether they would buy one or not because of the size. Many said they thought the phones were too big. They said they were happy with their old-style cell phones and liked how they could easily punch in their text using the number keypad with their thumbs.

That kind of thinking has slowly changed over the years as more and more people see TV advertising and the growing numbers of people riding public transportation enjoying their smartphones as they go back and forth to work chatting, emailing, surfing the Internet and playing games. Those who still haven’t switched to a smartphone can be seen or felt looking over smartphone users’ shoulders as they try to get a glimpse of what their smart devices can do. These people anxiously await their 2-year contracts to end so they can rush to the store and upgrade.

Now that even larger Android phones have come out on the market and fewer old style flip-phones are being sold, most who once thought iPhones were too big, now drool over larger-screened devices. What used to be thought of as a big minus has now become a major plus.

The smartphone market is on fire in Japan and people from all age groups are flocking to stores to get one!

Ringing in the New Year Watching TV

Kyle Yates — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:35:25 +0000

How will you spend New Year’s Eve? People around the world
spend the special evening celebrating the old year and the new year
about to start in different ways. Some go to parties. Some will
visit shrines or temples or even churches. However, as for
Japanese, a vast majority will sit in front of their brand spanking
new HD TVs this New Year’s Eve. Why? Japan is going completely
digital in 2011. In November last month, a huge number of nihonjin
(Japanese) bought HD TVs so they would qualify to receive Eco
Points, a system created to stimulate sales and give people more
spending power under the guise of being Green. Those who just
bought a much wider screen TV will want to experience the new high
definition shows already available and get their money’s worth from
the new entertainment device. Some, like myself, will maybe have a
party where friends can also join in on the experience. Happy New
Year hi-def style!

200-inch Curved HD TV at KIX

Kyle Yates — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:33:19 +0000

Last week, Kansai International Airport unveiled a 200-inch curved plasma display. It the largest display of its type measuring in at 4 meters by 3 meters.

KIX uses the screen to display videos introducing visitors to the airport giving them guidance how to get around the airport along with information on sightseeing spots in the Kansai area.

Japanese-language Education Symposium

Kyle Yates — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:47:24 +0000

On March 8th from 10am to 4pm at Tajiricho in Osaka Prefecture, the Japan Foundation’s Japanese-Language Institute in Kansai will hold a symposium on teaching Japanese. Nonnative speakers will be able to hear what the institute has been doing since its establishment.

The speakers will be experts from different fields involved in development of “Nihongo de Care-navi”, an online Japanese-English dictionary developed by the institute featuring useful expressions for nursing and caregiving.

Admission is free, but registration is necessary and should be done before February 29th, 2008.

Please call (072) 490-2601 for more information.

Driving with Keitai Phones Enforced Now

Kyle Yates — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 08:52:07 +0000

Law enforcement officers are no longer allowing drivers to slide by with using cellular phones while driving in Japan.

As of today, officers are stopping motorists for holding their cellular phones while driving, reading email while driving and of course talking on them while driving.

Police officers set up check points throughout Japan today and pulled everyone over doing any of the previously mentioned no-noes.

The fines for driving while using a keitai (cellular phone) depend on the vehicle you are driving. The fines range between 5,000 yen to 7,000 yen. Drivers also lose one point on their license. And if a fine goes unpaid, drivers can expect to pay as much as 50,000 yen.

If you just can’t get by without having access to your phone, go buy a hands-free headset because it’s the only legal way you can use a keitai while driving.